Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1887-01-27

Yes, she does, laughing, but with tears
in his ewes If went once with some
papers to Il Quaker boardlng-school for
girls near town, sir. They were such
lovely young ladies, / always thought
I'd send Lefty there when could get
the money But now"
DIR. Avery found out his story by de-
greeS He and Lefty were the children
of a planter near Savannah. Their
mother was in Philadelphia during the
war. Her husband was killed, her
slaves and property were gone. She
struggled for years. teaching and sew
ing, TO support them. and ut last died,
leaving Willy in charge of his little sis
ter.
"And your uame?'
MY father was Charles Gilbert"
DIR. Avery drew his breath quickly.
Il knew Charles Gilbert in Savannah
long ago. No wonder your voice seemed
familiar, ami that was drawn to you
so strongly. But you are my friend for
your own sake, my boy"
That evening DIR. Avery sent long
despatch to II lawyer in Savannah,
where he once lived and still had busi-
ness interests. He took two of the prin-
cipal surgeons in the city to examine
Willy.
When they had gone out for consulta-
ton, the boy lay. holding his hand,
watching the door, breathing quick and
bard.
"Do you want to live, Willy? You
have had Il hard life. my child"
"Oh no, no! | did not think it hard!
l have so much to do for Lettyi''
Had you never any plans for your
selfP"
The boy turned his gray eyes thought
fully on him. They filled with slow
tears.
II used to think-if l could be a
scholar-a gentleman, like my father
but"
IF you do not live, my boy" said his
friend, trying 10 reconcile him to death,
"God will take care of you. This poor
body will not be against you any
longer" e.. -
1T is not against me here!' said Will.
ly, vehemently. 1T is not me. Every
body knows that. If God will only give
me the chance to do something in the
world, the body won't stand in my
way" He muttered after a while
again, 1T is not me-" -a.'
Dr. Avery was called out to hear the
verdict of the surgeons. When he came
back Willy gave one look at him and
sank back, covering his face. ---
"There is still chance, my boy,
| nnrl, hI,f eli irvht I iV,ly
to tell you the exact truth. Morning
will decide. Would it comfort you to
have Lefty with you? l, have brought
her to town."
"Yes! yes! It doesn't matter now
that she knows | am a poor little news
boy"
Lefty was sturdy, red-cheeked little
woman, whose every word showed a
heart full of love and head full OF
good sense. She petted and soothed
Willy, while he clung to her, and then
said, cheerily: ..
"Now, dear, you must go to sleep.
You are not going to die. The doctors
don't know how strong you are. The
nurse says l may sit here and hold your
hand, and in the morning give you
your breakfast.
For days the boy fingered between
life and death. One morning, after the
doctors had made their examination,
his old friend came to him and taking
his hand solemnly, said:
"Willy, God has given you the chance
you asked for to do something in the
world. You will live"
When he was able to be removed, DR..
Avery took the children to his own
house. He laid before Willy state.
ment of his fathers affairs that he had
received from Savannah, which showed
that enough could be rescued from the
wreck of mis- estate to yield a small in
come for the children.
1t proved to be enough to educate
Lefty at the Quaker school to which
Willy dreamed of sending her, and to
give him thorough training in college
and tine law-schools.
They both always "came home," az
they had learned to call DR.. Avery's, in
the vacations. When Willy came back
at the end of his course, with the high.
est record of his class, he said to his Ole
friend:
"All that am or may be in life,
owe to YOU"
mo, my boy. l never should have
noticed you more than any other of the
hundreds of newsboys, but for the hon
or, self-control and good-breeding thai
you showed. A true gentleman will be
gentleman in any and all circum'
stances.
WHY'S eyes grew dim. ''lf my
friends and God can see the man inside
of the little monster l am satisfied" i"
he said. ....
His dream in life does not seem un.
likely to be realized. 1t is the character
that wins and tells - Youths ConapGn-